The INSANE TRUE Story of Paul Vario - SECRETS EXPOSED
Ever thought about what it's like to live on the edge, tangled in a web of crime and power where each decision can tip the balance between power and downfall?? Today, we're diving into the life of a man who was deep in this risky world, a man whose choices led to some of the biggest crimes of the century. As secrets come to light, we wonder - how did he stay in control in such a dangerous life? Stay tuned as we explore his story, breaking down rumors and uncovering some truly shocking truths. Ready for a ride on the wild side? Let's begin.
Born on July 10, 1914, Paul Vario etched his name as a formidable mobster and an influential figure within the notorious Lucchese crime family. Operating out of Brooklyn, New York, he led his crew of mobsters with an iron fist. However, his reign was short-lived as a conviction in 1984, following Henry Hill's testimony, led to a four-year prison sentence for fraud. Barely a year later, he was back in court and received an additional decade behind bars for extortion. Vario's life was cut short by respiratory failure while serving his sentence on May 3, 1988. His larger-than-life character found its way to the silver screen, personified as Paul Cicero by Paul Sorvino in Martin Scorsese's classic film 'Goodfellas'.
Born and bred in the Old Mill district of South Brooklyn, Paul Vario's dalliance with law-breaking began early. At just 11 years old, he was handed a seven-month sentence in juvenile detention for chronic truancy, a formative peek into his future life.
Paul's personal life was equally as tumultuous. His first marriage to Vita yielded three sons: Peter, Paul Jr., and Leonard. However, that relationship crumbled, leading to a divorce and a new chapter with his second wife, Phyllis.
Famed for his volatile temperament, an anecdote paints Vario in his quintessential fiery character. During a night out dining with Phyllis, a clumsy maître d' inadvertently spilled wine on her dress, further exacerbating the situation with a filthy rag in a bid to dry the spot. The spectacle was enough to provoke Vario into a rage, striking the maître d' twice. The night did not end there; Vario retaliated by sending two cars filled with bat-and-pipe-wielding men to teach the restaurant staff a lesson after closing time.
A personal tragedy struck Vario on July 20, 1973. His son, Leonard, succumbed to severe burn injuries at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Brooklyn. The origin of these fatal wounds remains shrouded in mystery to this day. The grief was magnified during Leonard's funeral, as two unsuspecting television cameramen and a police detective fell victim to physical assaults by the mourning attendees.
1937 saw a dramatic turn in Vario's life, when a sixteen-year-old girl from Howard Beach accused him and Anthony Romano of sexual assault. Found guilty, both men received a ten-year prison sentence. Vario found himself on parole twice during this period, but recurrent misconduct, involving burglary and stolen property charges, saw him back behind bars. His freedom came in 1962.
Following his release, Vario joined the ranks of the infamous Lucchese crime family. He operated primarily from Geffken's, an old German bar on Flatlands Avenue, and a junkyard in Canarsie. This junkyard became a notorious hub for an assortment of criminal activities - from hijackings and loansharking to bookmaking and fencing stolen property. Rapidly ascending within the crime family, he was soon promoted to a caporegime, commanding his own crew. His accomplices, including Thomas DeSimone and Henry Hill, were known for their unsavory engagements at John F. Kennedy Airport, where they extorted money in exchange for 'labor peace.'
Vario's empire expanded in 1965 following the death of mobster Jake Columbo. Swiftly assuming control of Columbo's illicit gambling operations, Vario soon faced arrest along with eight others, charged with controlling a gambling ring. Further legal troubles followed in 1966 when he was indicted by Brooklyn federal courts for failing to procure a federal gambling stamp. By mid-1966, Vario was again arrested, this time with seventeen others, charged with operating a bookmaking venture.
Taggs: crime,mafia,paul vario
